Genesis 8:20-9:29
Dear RTB’ers,
A few days ago we read that Noah was to bring animals on board two-by-two (Genesis 6:19-20). Then the next day we saw a modification of that original arrangement: “You shall take with you seven pairs of every clean animal, a male and his female; and two of the animals that are not clean, a male and his female.” (Genesis 7:2) Today we see why Noah had to bring more of the clean animals: Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took some of every kind of clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. (Genesis 8:20) We will learn later in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 how the Lord distinguishes between clean and unclean animals, but it seems that Noah already had a clear distinction between the two in this sacrifice to the LORD. Only clean animals get eaten or sacrificed.
I appreciated Sharon’s comments on Genesis 6 a couple of days ago. She pointed out the evil in mankind, but also gave us the BUT GOD verses. Today we see evil again: (the LORD speaking) “…for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” (Genesis 8:21b) Although we do not see a clear BUT GOD verse, we do see God’s mercy: “…and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done.” (Genesis 8:22)
I was struck by Genesis 9:4 (again, God speaking), “But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.” It was not the content that struck me so much as the forward connection, where God clarifies that relationship between blood and life:
If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set My face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, “No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.”
Leviticus 17:10-12 (See also Lev. 17:14.)
We also go forward from this passage to the New Testament, to Jesus speaking at the Last Supper:
And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, which is being given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant in My blood.”
Luke 22:19-20 (See also Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24, and John 6:53-58.)
This cup, poured out, My blood. Jesus’ life was in His blood. And He gave it for us.
Blessings!
See also: January 3 (2023) / Genesis 7-9